SD card on CI Pad

SD Card Setup and Storage Configuration

When you insert a MicroSD card into the CI Pad, Android presents two setup options: configuring the card as extra internal storage (phone storage) or as portable storage.

IMPORTANT: It is NOT recommended to format your SD card as extra internal storage. When formatted as internal storage, the card is encrypted to the current operating system instance. Subsequent OS updates, Factory Resets, or ejecting the card will render it unreadable. The only recovery method in such cases is performing a Factory Reset of the CI Pad and reformatting the card, resulting in permanent loss of all data stored on both the device and the SD card.

Before performing an operating system update, performing a Factory Reset, or ejecting an SD card formatted as internal storage, always back up all critical personal data to cloud storage, a computer, or the CI Pad's internal flash storage, and reformat the card as portable storage.

Checking SD Card Storage Mode

To verify whether your SD card is configured as internal or portable storage, navigate to Settings > Storage and tap on the SD card to inspect its details.

Android 11

Configured as Extra Internal Storage: The card name appears without a "Portable" descriptor, shows dedicated directories for Apps and System, and the top-right menu (three dots) displays the option Format as portable.

Configured as Portable Storage:

Android 13

Configured as Extra Internal Storage:

Configured as Portable Storage: (No Apps or System categories shown; options include formatting as internal storage).

Converting / Formatting to Portable Storage

WARNING: Formatting the card erases all stored data permanently. Back up all files before proceeding.

1. Go to Settings > Storage.
2. Tap on your SD card.
3. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
4. Select Format as portable and confirm.

Android 11

Android 13